An occupational illness is any disease or physical damage resulting from exposure to unsafe working conditions. Whilst it is usually necessary to prove that an employer was negligent in failing to provide adequate protection for his employees to ensure their health and safety there are many circumstances where there is strict liability imposed on an employer and claims can be made without proof of negligence. In addition for certain industrial disease categories there are government imposed compensation schemes that effectively remove the necessity to prove negligence making the process of claiming considerably easier by merely requiring confirmation of relevant employment and proof of the extent of the illness by way of medical reports.

Industrial Illness Medical Conditions

The categories of industrial disease for which compensation can be claimed include :-

• industrial deafness
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• vibration white finger (VWF) (HAVS) (WBVS)
• beat knee
• occupational dermatitis and occupational eczema
• repetitive strain injury (RSI)
• pneumoconios and silicosis
• asbestosis and mesothelioma